saluki's review against another edition
4.0
Book four in the Queen's Thief series finds Sophos, the heir to Sounis, in dire circumstances and in a position far removed from the crown. Sophos needs help to stop the Medes emperor from stealing his country and placing a puppet king on the throne.
Gen/Attolis, Attolia and Eddis are main players in the plot, but the kingly veneer Gen wears to hide his true motives and personality meant there is less humour. Not devoid of humour... just less. As much as I liked Sophos, I'd sooner read more books with Eugenides as the leading man... but then the bonds and oaths of the rulers wouldn't happen without Sophos' struggles, I suppose.
Recommended for all those who love an absorbing court fantasy with unreliable narrators, plenty of intrigue, military action, and many plot twists.
Gen/Attolis, Attolia and Eddis are main players in the plot, but the kingly veneer Gen wears to hide his true motives and personality meant there is less humour. Not devoid of humour... just less. As much as I liked Sophos, I'd sooner read more books with Eugenides as the leading man... but then the bonds and oaths of the rulers wouldn't happen without Sophos' struggles, I suppose.
Recommended for all those who love an absorbing court fantasy with unreliable narrators, plenty of intrigue, military action, and many plot twists.
lostinwater's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
tiffyofthemonts's review against another edition
4.0
So I think I had a much stronger response to this book when I read it the first time (way back in 2016!). But I feel like I have a better understanding of it on my reread (7 years later… help).
While reading, the thing I really appreciated about this series is that the author doesn’t shy away from the politics of day-to-day rule. It’s the stuff that looks humdrum and boring on the surface, but is complex and nuanced beneath.
I can imagine how difficult it must be to write that kind of thing, in a way that is interesting to readers, which I guess is why so few YA authors attempt to, and even fewer that do it well.
Like as much as I am compelled by the stories of Eugenides and Attolia and Eddis and Sophos and the rest - I would continue reading the series just to find out what happens to each of these kingdoms.
As I reread these books, I’m mostly just impressed with the author. She doesn’t really put everything out on the table - oftentimes there is more that is unsaid than is said, and all the stuff that’s left unsaid is what makes the world come to life… because some of the unsaid things are revealed (later in the story, or in the series, even), and that’s when your brain starts firing and you realize how clever the protagonists are, or how powerful their gods…
And sometimes the unsaid things remain unsaid, and it becomes the reader’s responsibility (privilege?) to fill in the blank. So then you’re left imagining all the happenings and conversations in between.
The way the author writes - it’s simultaneously a shroud, AND the thing that immerses you into the Queen’s Thief universe.
Anyway. I appreciate Sophos’ gentleness - it’s such a contrast to the somewhat ruthless rule we see from Attolia and Eugenides in QoA and KoA. But what I like more is Sophos’ journey to making peace with the sort of ruthlessness that makes a king. Because I just find that so realistic! And I like that the author doesn’t ever try to smooth over the hard decisions that a ruler must inevitably make.
Those are all my thoughts for now… more to come, maybe. And with that, I’m caught up on all the books I’ve read before. So onto Thick as Thieves!!!!
While reading, the thing I really appreciated about this series is that the author doesn’t shy away from the politics of day-to-day rule. It’s the stuff that looks humdrum and boring on the surface, but is complex and nuanced beneath.
I can imagine how difficult it must be to write that kind of thing, in a way that is interesting to readers, which I guess is why so few YA authors attempt to, and even fewer that do it well.
Like as much as I am compelled by the stories of Eugenides and Attolia and Eddis and Sophos and the rest - I would continue reading the series just to find out what happens to each of these kingdoms.
As I reread these books, I’m mostly just impressed with the author. She doesn’t really put everything out on the table - oftentimes there is more that is unsaid than is said, and all the stuff that’s left unsaid is what makes the world come to life… because some of the unsaid things are revealed (later in the story, or in the series, even), and that’s when your brain starts firing and you realize how clever the protagonists are, or how powerful their gods…
And sometimes the unsaid things remain unsaid, and it becomes the reader’s responsibility (privilege?) to fill in the blank. So then you’re left imagining all the happenings and conversations in between.
The way the author writes - it’s simultaneously a shroud, AND the thing that immerses you into the Queen’s Thief universe.
Anyway. I appreciate Sophos’ gentleness - it’s such a contrast to the somewhat ruthless rule we see from Attolia and Eugenides in QoA and KoA. But what I like more is Sophos’ journey to making peace with the sort of ruthlessness that makes a king. Because I just find that so realistic! And I like that the author doesn’t ever try to smooth over the hard decisions that a ruler must inevitably make.
Those are all my thoughts for now… more to come, maybe. And with that, I’m caught up on all the books I’ve read before. So onto Thick as Thieves!!!!
enbyglitch's review against another edition
5.0
Yet another solid entry into the series, with intrigue, politics, and action aplenty. Probably my least favorite by a small margin, mostly due to how little we see of Eugenides. Still, I'm excited to see where Turner takes us next.
mientjie's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kepheus's review against another edition
3.0
Finished it during a blackout, otherwise probably would have taken longer. I can't say I ever felt invested in the protagonist's journey, though I did appreciate where it ended.
I also found the jumps in perspectives between chapters disorienting. They really could have used a little context note or something at the start instead of seemingly jumping around.
I also found the jumps in perspectives between chapters disorienting. They really could have used a little context note or something at the start instead of seemingly jumping around.
teveritt's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
columnclub's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
vicki_s's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
As expected this dealt with Sounis and while it was still good and entertaining I just enjoy Attolia more. I think Eddis is kind of boring. I wholly loved the part where Sophos is in hiding and I love all his self doubt.